Please close the door behind you.

#DING DONG REST IN FUCKING PIECES U FUK

Expect The Unexpected || Body Discovery

It’s early enough when the announcement comes that most of you are still asleep - besides those kept up all night by the horrific cries from your ONIbook. When you wake, though, thankfully, they have ceased. Your loved ones are safe… at what cost?

Shuffling as one to the library at Maru’s request, you arrive vaguely aware that one of your number is missing. Somebody who always seems to be there, unconcerned, at the scene of the crime.

Inside, the normally calm room is slightly off - fallen books litter the floor from one shelf, the carpet is scuffed. But the main thing that draws your eye is fairly obvious.

Keep reading

Too Far | Haru | Motive Reaction | OPEN

At Maru’s initial announcement, Haru scoffed. This was the sort of scare tactic he would have expected far earlier on – some ridiculous, vague threat against their loved ones. It was, after all, the easiest way to control people – the mere possibility that their family were in danger, and someone would drop everything to prove their loyalty, their love. Well, Haru was not that sentimental, and would not be controlled by empty threats.

Except then he looked at his ONIbook, and the bottom dropped out of his stomach.

This was… not empty. Haru’s parents… they should be at home, resting. He sent them money. He made sure they were looked after. He did everything to meet and surpass their expectations.

They… never deserved to be a part of this.

Looking slightly paler than usual, Haru stuffed his ONIbook into his pocket, not looking at it any longer. It seems like this time, he doesn’t have any reassuring words.

#in mind #ch4

Haru | Taking Back the Crown | Closed for Arashi

shslworlddomination-blog

Arashi was… sort of the same, in regards to throne room visits. It was less its measure of how… sinister it appeared, however, and more that it just… didn’t interest him as much? He’d pass it by, but never really thought much of it.

But he decided to stop by it one day, already out and about, taking a walk around the castle, and - lo and behold, there was Haru! Arashi’d been meaning to speak with him for a while!

“Hello, hello, Ikezawacchi!!! I’ve been tossing around a few ideas, but none of them sound all that great… it’s like writer’s block, or artist’s block, but for evil!! Like… villainy block!!!”

He seemed to be… doing well, in spite of everything. Then again, given his refusal to acknowledge the idol-slash-boxer’s death in the previous trial…

“How about you, Ikezawacchi?? Have you been faring well?”

#Stop Him #arashi #in mind #ch4

Haru greeted Arashi’s huge grin with a smile of his own. Well, it was good to see he appeared to be doing... well. Maybe?

“Haha, that’s not too surprising. We are in the face of a lot of unexpected villainy, after all. Hm, I think you could definitely trump Maru-san in terms of evilness, though.”

He spoke totally sincerely, hands in pockets, still staring absently at the throne, then slid his eyes over to Arashi.

“Me? Oh, I’m always fine. It’s kind of you to ask. Well, we all have to be on our guard, though, don’t we? You never know when another killer could emerge. After all, even Rini-san seemed meek at first.”

He laughed slightly.

Haru | Deduction | Closed for Kazue

signedmusic-blog

Oh. Well, it’s not like he minded, but he wasn’t exactly expecting him to go and invite himself like that, and he probably would have invited him in regardless but it was still pretty jarring. Was this the power of being a year older or was it Haru just being plain rude? Either way, it didn’t offend Kazue and more like amused him to the point that he cracked a smile, a bit forced maybe, but he was trying.

His room was a bit messy, not a terrible mess if you asked him, but having papers cramped up and thrown near the trashcan instead of inside it looked pretty bad, but if Haru asked, he’d just say it was all worthless junk related to work, not biggie.

Though the he started to scratch his head, but gave him a small bow expressing his thanks, but his face showed only confusion at the compliment, he wasn’t very cold or collected at all, let alone being the analytical type.

You think so? I doubt that, I think the Shinto gods are favoring me or I am just really lucky at getting stuff right, it’s flattering you think so, senpai, but I’m just a composer… And I wasn’t too calm the first trial, either

He was still pretty ashamed by that last bit, actually.

In all honestly, I just want to get out of here, along with everyone, as soon as we can, so I’m doing what I can to help… on trials, I suppose.

He started to think about it some more though, was it really the best course of action? It didn’t look like the trials were stopping anytime soon, sure, there wasn’t a motive right now but that would change.

If Haru was at all ashamed for inviting himself into Kazue’s room, he didn’t show it, pretty much just being rude. The room was notably messier than his, although not too bad. Haru supposed that having a creative mind probably lent one to crumpled up paper balls occasionally.

He noted the bow and the ‘senpai’ again, laughing slightly.

I don’t think any of us could really be expected to be calm in that first trial... It all seemed so ridiculous at that time. It’s disturbing how we’ve all gotten used to it, really.

That said, Haru himself was pretty much cool as a cucumber during trial 1... but anyway.

That’s a noble cause. I take a similar view. If we can’t solve the trials, nobody wins until we can find another way out of here. Horrific as it is, we have to play by the rules - so we might as well play well.

He sent a smiley face emoji after that. Haru, you can just smile...

#in mind #ch4 #kazue

Haru | Taking Back the Crown | Closed for Arashi

The throne room, funnily enough, was one of the few locations Haru hadn’t really spent much time looking at in the castle. The strange aura inside it, coupled with the lack of diverting activities to be had like in the library, made it quite a sinister location that one wanted to leave as soon as they had arrived.

Today, however, he felt like a change of scenery. While contemplating the empty throne, he realised he was not alone in the room.

“Ah, Fukui-sama,” he turned around, hands clasped behind his back. “I should have expected to find you here. Plotting anything?"

He asked the question with just the hint of a smile.

#in mind #ch4 #arashi

Haru | Deduction | Closed for Kazue

signedmusic-blog

And Haru would be very right, ever since the trials started, he had been going less and less out of his room, especially on the days that the trials themselves took place in, but then again, it looked like most people would o that on that kind of day, so neither day, nor the next, had he waited much.

That was until he felt the ONIbook’s notification, and was pretty surprised to discover it was Haru, the last person he’d expect. well, maybe not the last, but among the last on the list of possible visits, but he wasn’t going to complain, he’d hope to befriend everyone if possible,

Without answering, he stopped writing musical notes to go get the door, and when he opened, there he was, Haru Ikezawa, one of the few that were older than him.

Once he opened the door, he actually started texting:

Hello there, Ikezawa-senpai, sounds like fun to me! And it’s fine, i think I’m the only one here, besides Maru-san, that knows. Though, I’m curious as to why? Is something the matter?

Haru smiled and bowed politely as Kazue opened the door, smile widening a little at the ‘senpai’. Is he a senpai? Hope’s Peak’s age separation by class seems to be a little random, but how charming!

[Thank you.]

He enters Kazue’s room, again without express permission... He is so rude. Taking a seat on Kazue’s chair, he types a quick reassurance.

[Nothing the matter at all!]

Putting his chin in his hands, he elaborates, while taking in the bedroom.

[I just thought we haven’t talked outside of trials - and even in those we seem to not speak so much directly as address each other’s points. But I think we have a lot in common, Hinku-san. You seem to have a good analytical mind. So many people seem to become very emotional during these trials. I admire someone who stays cool and looks at the facts.]

#in mind #ch4 #kazue

Haru | Deduction | Closed for Kazue

If he thinks about it, Haru pretty much surmises that since he never seems to run into Kazue outside of trials in any of the castle’s many haunts, the boy probably spends most time in his room.

Well, that won’t do. Haru needs to make friends with everyone. He arrives at Kazue’s room, raises a hand to knock, and then shakes his head at his own thoughtlessness, opening up his ONIbook instead.

[Hinku-san? It’s Haru Ikezawa here. I’m outside your room. I was wondering if you’d like to chat if you’re free? I should add that my knowledge of JSL is very limited, I’m afraid, so we may have to type on ONIbook to each other – apologies!]

He sends it off and waits. It’s time to be bothered, Kazue.

#in mind #ch4 #kazue

ayy i know i owe arashi and asa threads but was there anyone else? sorry its been a bit of a weird week mental health wise and my brains totally scattered! or if anyone else would like one!

#out of mind

Standing on my own two feet||Artie||Chapter 4||Closed for Haru

The photojournalist felt himself changing, even if it was a small change. He felt so indifferent for the most part when he watched the execution unfold. It would have made the former person within cry or worse. But this ‘new guy’? He simply rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as he stood there, waiting for it to be over. What the hell was wrong with him? By the time he left, he felt nausea, but nothing left his body. He was forced to endure as he left for his room, still feeling cold, yet indifferent. ~~~~~ Hours passed to more hours of simple sleep and weird dreams. And before he knew it, the boy had cut and shaped his hair and left to see Kuroi. He didn’t even wear his goggles today as he took on this different 'version of himself’. It just didn’t seem like the right thing to do, as he moved about, trying to make sense of whatever changes were forming from within. Seeing no other option, the boy found himself wandering to a familiar room. The room where he found himself discussing a few things with Haru before the trial. Would he find him here again, perhaps? For now, he found himself sitting down and waiting in here. And what did he expect, by doing this? For Haru to magically show up or something? This boy wasn’t exactly his therapist! And anyway, it wasn’t as if he HAD to come in and talk to him or anything. And yet, still he waited, hoping he might come. He had much to say and even more to ask. About himself as much as about what was going on in this hellhole. And he had a feeling that Haru knew much more than he let on.

#artie #ch4 #in mind #inserting images on tumblr is such Hell i hope this works

It seemed even the death of someone he was as close to as Rini wasn’t enough to stop Haru’s routine visits to the library. What could they do with their days, after all, except write, read, and talk?

He stepped into the room and raised an eyebrow at Artie’s new look.

“My, Artino-san. I see you’ve decided to change up your style.”

No comment on how well it’s working, apparently. Haru took in the way Artie was sitting expectantly. Perhaps he wasn’t just here to read quietly, then.

“Were you waiting for someone?”

He asked this, crossing the room and browsing for a science book, but without much expectation of reading it. Don’t worry, Artie - Haru is everyone’s therapist.

Too Late To Apologise | Haru | Re: Vote

Haru Ikezawa loves being right. In this instance, however, it’s not such a satisfying feeling - more the confirmation of the sinking dread he’s felt ever since he picked up pink hairs at the crime scene.

All this time he’d been thinking surely not her - surely not Rini, and yet with his testimony he condemned her anyway.

When she says her mother’s name, Haru starts. Ai Akihana’s daughter, and he never knew - right now, under any other circumstances, he’d have a billion questions. He admires Rini’s mother greatly. …Of course, if they ever meet now, he’ll never be able to look the woman in the face.

“…For what it’s worth, Akihana-san,” he says, “I’m sorry for thinking you capable of cold-blooded murder. This was just… a horrible accident. I try to stay objective in trials. I said what I said because I knew you’d killed Thompson-san. Still… I didn’t know how it happened. I’m truly sorry.”

He meets her eyes, staring hard and sad - and then walks towards her and grasps her hand tight. It’s not quite a hug. There aren’t quite tears. They were, despite all he tried, never in the end quite friends.

“I wish I could have helped more. Goodbye.”

Calm Down Time | Haru | Trial | Re: Everything that just happened, Kazue, Arashi

Haru blinked. Well. That had certainly escalated quickly.

He turned to Arashi, giving the boy a sympathetic, if slightly pained smile.

“Fukui-san… Please don’t worry too much. It’s going to be all right.”

He wasn’t going to specify how, apparently, but shattering Arashi’s perception with blunt reality right now… Probably wouldn’t be the best way of dealing with things.

…He didn’t look at Rini, Aoi, or Asa. Or react to them in the slightest.

“Hm, I agree with Hinku-san,” he said carefully instead. “Everyone shouting at each other will do no good. How about we establish the facts of the case instead?”

His voice was businesslike.

“So, Rini-san, Kobayashi-san and I were together in Kobayashi-san’s room. At about 8pm, Rini-san told us she was leaving to prepare dinner and see if she could find another way to get the collars off. I also left, not wanting to infringe any further. After that, according to what we’ve heard, it would seem that Rini-san encountered Thompson-san, and then the murder occurred in the swimming pool in some way. After which, Rini-san enlisted the help of Asa-san and Kobayashi-san, changing into Kobayashi-san’s clothing and hiding hers in the toilets. She also entered the kitchen at some point - to clean up an injury perhaps?”

If Haru was shocked by what happened, he was barely showing it. His voice was cool as a cucumber, though his brows were tilted just a little in dismay.

“Well. What a thoroughly terrible turn of events."

Factual Analysis | Haru | Trial | Re: Rini

“…”

Haru put a thoughtful finger on his chin.

“That’s true, yes. Rini-san seemed very upset. She was talking about accepting her death. I told her it shouldn’t have to come to that.”

“But after all, we were together that evening. Rini-san, Kobayashi-san and I all have an airtight alibi, don’t we? Well, until… about 8pm. When Rini-san left the room to see about… getting her collar off, as I recall.”

He cocks his head.

“Oh, well that’s strange then.”

It's Going Down | Haru | Trial | Re: Kuroi, Arashi, Louise

Unusually, Haru arrived at the trial room looking rather red in the face and out of breath, instead of his usual composure. It was fairly evident why when he dumped his collar onto the podium and shook his arms out with a sigh of relief. Man this boy is weedy.

“Well, thank goodness that’s dealt with. Anyway, ahem. There’s my collar, as instructed. I’m certainly glad to be rid of it.”

He then paused, allowing himself to properly examine the situation. The photos of all the deceased, with messages on them… It was touching. Artie’s doing, then?

It would be so strange to lose Mia’s energetic declarations in this trial… She was the first victim he’d truly known, and he still couldn’t quite process it.

“I think you’re quite right, Fukui-san,” he followed sombrely. “It makes the most sense for the killer to be among the six of us, unless the other collar in the pool was dumped there as a red herring… but that would require the cooperation of someone with a collar on, anyway. You’re correct about the owners of the collars, Louise-san."

Fiddling with his necklace, he continued.

"Furthermore, the fact that both collars were in the pool, along with the cause of death, strongly suggests that the killer was in the pool with the victim. Actually, Asa-san and I can also confirm that there is a trail of water that seems to lead from the pool downstairs towards the kitchen. It ends there, so far as we could tell. We searched the kitchen thoroughly, but couldn’t find any clues as to what the killer did there… Nonetheless, this helps to trace their steps.”

Maru File 3 || Miriam Thompson

Name: Miriam “Mia” Thompson

Time of Death: 8:30pm

Location: Dank Pool

Cause of Death: Drowning

Additional Notes: It seems someone had already pulled her out of the pool before you all arrived! She as well seems to be soaking wet!

#ch3 #ref